Home Blog Page 7

Oxfam – A person from the richest 0.1% produces more carbon pollution in a day than someone in the bottom 50% produces all year

0

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

  • Since 1990, the richest 0.1% have increased their share of total emissions by 32%, whilst the poorest half of humanity have actually seen their share fall by 3%.
  • If everyone emitted carbon like the richest 0.1%, the carbon budget – the amount of CO2 that can be emitted while avoiding climate disaster – would be used up in less than 3 weeks.
  • To stay within the limits of the 1.5°C threshold, the richest 0.1% would need to cut their per capita emissions by 99% by 2030.
  • A person from the world’s richest 0.1% emits over 800 kg of CO2 every day. Even the strongest person on earth could not lift this much. In contrast, someone from the poorest 50% of the world emits an average of just 2 kg of CO2 per day, which even a small child could lift.
Ahead of the major international climate conference COP30 in Belem, Brazil, new Oxfam research finds that the high-carbon lifestyles of the super-rich are blowing through the world’s remaining carbon budget – the amount of CO2 that can be emitted while avoiding climate disaster. The research also details how billionaires are using their political and economic influence to keep humanity hooked on fossil fuels to maximize their private profit.
The super-rich are not just overconsuming carbon, but also actively investing in and profiting from the most polluting corporations. Oxfam’s research finds that the average billionaire produces 1.9 million tonnes of CO2e a year through their investments. These billionaires would have to circumnavigate the world almost 10,000 times in their private jets to emit this much. Almost 60% of billionaire investments are classified as being in high climate impact sectors such as oil or mining, meaning their investments emit two and a half times more than an average investment in the S&P Global 1,200. The emissions of the investment portfolios of just 308 billionaires total more than the combined emissions of 118 countries.
“The climate crisis is an inequality crisis. The very richest individuals in the world are funding and profiting from climate destruction, leaving the global majority to bear the fatal consequences of their unchecked power,” said Amitabh Behar, Executive Director of Oxfam International.
The power and wealth of super-rich individuals and corporations have also allowed them to wield unjust influence over policymaking and water down climate negotiations. At COP29, 1,773 coal, oil, and gas lobbyists were granted badges, more than the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined. Multiple rich and high-emitting countries including the US, UK, France and Germany have watered down climate laws after large donations from anti-climate lobbyists.
“It is a travesty that power and wealth have been allowed to accumulate in the hands of a few, who are only using it to further entrench their influence and lock us all into a path to planetary destruction. The super-rich and the corporations they run have a deadly track record of bankrolling lobbyists, spreading climate disinformation, and suing NGOs and governments that try to stand in their way. We must break the chokehold of the super-rich over climate policy by taxing their extreme wealth, banning their lobbying and instead put those most affected by the climate crisis in the front seat of climate decision-making,” said Behar.
The emissions of the richest 1% are enough to cause an estimated 1.3 million heat-related deaths by the end of the century, as well as $44 trillion of economic damage to low- and lower-middle-income countries by 2050. The impacts of these climate damages will disproportionately impact those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis, particularly people living in the Global South, women, girls and Indigenous groups.
COP30 marks ten years since the Paris Agreement in 2015. During this period, the world’s richest 1% have burnt through more than twice as much of the carbon budget than the poorest half of humanity combined
Ahead of COP30, Oxfam calls on governments to cut the emissions and dismantle the political and economic power of the super-rich through:
  • Slashing the emissions of the super-rich and make the richest polluters pay, through taxation on extreme wealth, excess profits taxes on fossil fuel corporations, and supporting the UN Convention on International Tax Cooperation. A 60% tax on the total incomes of the richest 1% globally could cut carbon emissions equivalent to the total emissions of the UK and generate in the region of $6.4 trillion.
  • Curbing the economic and political influence of the richest by banning fossil fuel corporations from climate negotiations such as COP, implementing sustainability regulations for corporations and financial institutions, and rejecting trade and investment agreements like investor-state dispute settlements (ISDS) that put the interests of the super-wealthy above public good.
  • Strengthening the participation of civil society and Indigenous groups in climate negotiations and address the unequal impacts of climate change.
  • Adopting a fair-share approach to the remaining climate budget by committing to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that reflect historical responsibility and capacity to act, and ensuring rich countries deliver ambitious climate finance.
  • Building an equal economic system that puts people and planet first by rejecting dominant neoliberal economics and moving towards an economy based on sustainability and equality.

MIL OSI

Sudan – Mothers and children fleeing El Fasher under attack, hungry, and in desperate need of aid – Save the Children

0

Source: Save the Children

After walking for four days to escape the escalating violence in El Fasher, Sudan, mothers arriving in Tawila in desperate need of aid recounted harrowing journeys, telling Save the Children how they were attacked by armed men on motorbikes and some robbed along the way.
Women who managed to escape with their children as fighting raged made the 70 km journey to Tawila without food or water and are now dependent on humanitarian assistance which was already stretched before the latest escalation in violence in North Darfur.
They have told Save the Children staff of how they were attacked on the perilous journey by armed men, with some witnessing their neighbours and relatives being killed in front of them, and others robbed of their belongings.
The city of El Fasher has been under siege for over 500 days. On Sunday media and local sources reported severe atrocities as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took full control of the city where aid workers are operating under extreme risk.
Aid agencies in a joint statement this week warned of imminent catastrophe in El Fasher and have called for unimpeded access for humanitarian and commercial supplies as well as safe and unimpeded passage for civilians wishing to leave the city.
More than 260,000 people – including an estimated 130,000 children – remain trapped inside the city, enduring famine-like conditions, a total collapse of health services, and no safe way out.
According to the United Nations, about 26,000 people have fled El Fasher. Communication channels remain down but credible accounts indicate summary executions of civilians attempting to flee as well as attacks on escape routes and house-to-house raids.
Saadiya-, a mother of three, from El Fasher, said:
“In El Fasher, we faced such difficulties and such circumstances. We lost family members, we lost neighbours, we lost everyone.
“We’ve been walking for the past four days from El Fasher. A group of motorbike riders met us on the way. They took our luggage and threw our clothes and belongings onto thorn bushes, scattering everything along the road. They took my money and even my phone! I was beaten-my ear still hurts.
“They beat [up] some people and battered them in front of us. They killed people and insulted us a lot.
“We were so hungry and thirsty. Since we arrived here, Alhamdulillah, there is food. They gave us dinner last night at 1 a.m., and this morning they gave us breakfast early.”
Awatif-, a mother of six, from El Fasher, fled with her six children and husband. She said there was no food and they survived on umbaz (animal feed) and porridge made from maize or flour. She said:
“We hid the children in trenches, and we ran into abandoned buildings during the attacks. After that, we just ate umbaz (animal feed). We have our children abroad who used to send us money [although] the money they send, no matter how much, when you have a lot of children to feed, it doesn’t do much.”
Save the Children has been rapidly scaling up operations, providing shelter, food, water and personal hygiene items, but has called for a rapid escalation in funding to meet the increasing needs.
The aid agency is calling for coordinated humanitarian action to protect civilians, restore access to essential services, and address the growing displacement crisis, with growing fears and concerns that Tawila could also come under attack.
Francesco Lanino, Deputy Country Director of Programmes and Operations for Save the Children in Sudan, said:
“The crisis in North Darfur is spiralling into a humanitarian catastrophe that the world cannot afford to ignore. Credible reports now speak of summary executions, door-to-door killings of civilians, and desperate families locked in a tightening siege with no way out. Children are starving, hospitals have shut down or been destroyed, and those who try to flee face extreme violence and unimaginable danger.
“Hundreds of thousands of children are at immediate risk of violence, hunger, and disease. We urgently call on all parties to agree to a ceasefire to respect international humanitarian law, and allow safe, unhindered humanitarian access ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers.”
Since the siege of El Fasher began in April 2024, Save the Children has significantly scaled up its humanitarian response across Tawila and Jabal Marra in Central and North Darfur. The organisation has reached over 224,000 internally displaced people fleeing violence and insecurity including providing support for newly arrived families, host communities, and conflict-affected populations.
In Tawila and across North Darfur, Save the Children is operating four health facilities and an expanding mobile health platform, while in Jabal Marra, we operate seven health facilities and three mobile clinics.

MIL OSI

Activist Sector – Protest against weapons companies meeting at Parliament

0

Source: Peace Action Wellington

There will be a noise protest outside of Parliament on Friday, 31 October at 8:30am against the meeting of major weapons companies including Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and Bell Textron in the Beehive. The protest is organised by Peace Action Wellington, Justice for Palestine and the Falastin Tea Collective.

“On Halloween, we can imagine nothing scarier than arms dealers freely roaming the halls of Parliament. These are the people delivering immense death and destruction to the people of Gaza right now. In particular, Lockheed jets have been delivery drivers for the thousands of bombs dropped on civilians, schools, hospitals and homes, ” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

“As Israel breaks the ceasefire and resumes murdering Palestinians, and the NZDF is deploying a ‘liaison officer’ to Israel to shore up the occupation’s shredded global legitimacy, the aerospace industry is meeting at Parliament to push their agenda of weapons sales to a government hungry for war.”

“The former Chief of Defence Force, Kevin Short, is now Lockheed’s Director of Strategy & Business Development. He is giving the keynote address, and his message will be ‘buy more weapons.’ Minister of War Judith Collins will be only too happy to oblige as she pushes forward with an aggressive pro-war, pro-genocide stance.’”

“The $12 billion weapons and military spending promised by this government is money to support US wars and by extension, Israel’s wars. These weapons companies keep us enthralled by the idea that we need to keep buying more and more weapons. Meanwhile these are the very companies making a killing, and doing a lot of killing, across the globe.

Notes

MIL OSI

China Eastern Airlines to Launch First Mainland China Flights to Argentina, Completing Global Six-Continent Network

0

Source: Media Outreach

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – China Eastern Airlines will launch a new route connecting Shanghai to Argentina via New Zealand by the end of this year, a milestone that will make it the first airline based in mainland China to offer passenger flights to all six inhabited continents, the company announced Sunday at the 2025 North Bund International Aviation Forum.

The new service underscores the rapid global expansion of Chinese carriers and their strategic role in building China-led international aviation networks. Upon launch, China Eastern Airlines will also rank first among all mainland Chinese airlines in the number of international destinations served.

The announcement was among a series of developments unveiled at the forum, which has become a key platform for showcasing China’s aviation ambitions. Other key releases included:

  • A new international transfer brand, “Shanghai to the World, Seamless Transfers” from Shanghai Airport Authority.
  • A joint report on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission and East China Normal University.
  • The 2025 China Transport Airport Development Index from the China Civil Airports Association, which indicated a 13.4% industry growth since 2019.

Strategic Hub and Traffic Growth
Supporting its global network push, China Eastern Airlines has established Shanghai Pudong International Airport as a major transfer hub. In 2024, the airline facilitated 8.36 million international transfer passengers at the airport, accounting for 80.9% of its total transfer traffic. This figure grew to 4.8 million in the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 26.8%.

Since the beginning of 2024, China Eastern Airlines has launched 23 new medium- and long-haul international routes, expanding its network to 21 countries involved in the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

Forum Focuses on “Aviation+” Integration
The forum, themed “Innovation and Intelligence: Shaping Aviation’s Next Era,” also highlighted cross-sector business models under the “Aviation+” initiative, integrating air travel with culture, tourism, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).

China Eastern Airlines showcased its AI-powered digital assistant “Dongdong” and a physical robot “Xiaodong,” and introduced a “China Pass” card offering discounts and services to inbound travelers.

The 2025 North Bund International Aviation Forum was organized by Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government.

Hashtag: #ChinaEasternAirlines

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Serious Crash, Waharoa Road East, Matamata

0

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are in attendance at a serious crash in Matamata this afternoon.

At around 4.40pm, Police were alerted to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

The road is blocked while emergency services are in attendance.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

ENDS

MIL OSI

SoftwareOne Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS to Accelerate Gen AI Innovation Across APAC

0

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – SoftwareOne, a global leader in cloud and software services, today announced a Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate digital transformation, cloud adoption, and generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) innovation across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

SoftwareOne Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS

Under the multi-year agreement, SoftwareOne will enhance its AWS capabilities to support customers in Australia-New Zealand (ANZ), Southeast Asia, Greater China Region (GCR), and India. The collaboration focuses on four strategic areas: migration and modernization, data and Gen AI, launching entirely new solutions on AWS (greenfield deployments), and AWS Marketplace enablement. SoftwareOne will continue to invest in obtaining AWS certifications, ensuring SoftwareOne employees are equipped with the latest AWS expertise to support customers across the APAC region.

“This agreement marks a pivotal step in our mission to empower organizations across APAC to accelerate digital transformation using Gen AI,” said Varun Paliwal, President APAC and Middle East of SoftwareOne. “By combining SoftwareOne’s expertise with the comprehensive cloud services of AWS, we’re delivering tangible business outcomes and long-term value for our customers.”

“This collaboration with SoftwareOne demonstrates our joint focus on helping customers across APAC accelerate both cloud transformation and responsible generative AI adoption,” said Corrie Briscoe, Director of Partner Core, Asia Pacific & Japan, AWS. “By combining SoftwareOne’s deep regional expertise and trusted customer relationships with AWS’s breadth of services—including Amazon Bedrock—we’re creating practical pathways for organizations to modernize their operations, innovate with confidence, and scale solutions that drive measurable impact.”

SoftwareOne will develop and deploy a portfolio of Gen AI solutions powered by Amazon Bedrock, tailored to industries such as retail, manufacturing and financial services. To accelerate adoption, SoftwareOne will provide pre-built, AWS-validated solution templates and implementation packages, including AI assistants for specific industries and workloads, which are designed to help customers move from pilot to production faster. AWS will provide technical assistance and collaborate with SoftwareOne teams through its Generative AI Innovation Centre (GenAIIC) Partner Alliance, which SoftwareOne has joined, and which will provide access to expert-level training and delivery acceleration.

The AI Assistants that will be launched through SoftwareOne’s collaboration with AWS include:

  • Technician AI Assistant for factory troubleshooting and maintenance queries.
  • Insurance AI Assistant for personalized plan recommendations and sentiment analysis.
  • HR Policy Assistant to automate employee inquiries and HR ticket creation.
  • Product Assistant for intelligent product search, promotion discovery, and order management.

As part of the collaboration, SoftwareOne will help customers migrate to AWS through its Rapid Migration Offer, deploy a new SoftwareOne AWS Landing Zone with built-in cloud security and governance, and will list its solutions in AWS Marketplace to streamline procurement. SoftwareOne will also invest in dedicated AWS-focused sales and marketing headcount across APAC to support customers throughout their cloud journey.

This collaboration will enhance SoftwareOne’s vision of delivering flexibility, innovation, and business value for customers across industries. To explore how SoftwareOne can accelerate your cloud journey with AWS, visit: softwareone.com

https://www.softwareone.com/

Hashtag: #SoftwareOne #AWS #GenAI

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Indoor Air Pollution Cannot Be Ignored Clean Air Network Supports Businesses in Meeting the Challenge

0

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – The World Health Organization reports that over 3 million people worldwide die each year from indoor air pollution. In Hong Kong, people spend nearly 90% of their time indoors.[1] For office workers who often have long working hours, the air quality in workplaces directly affects their health, work efficiency, and, ultimately, corporate productivity. Environmental group Clean Air Network is currently driving various programs to raise public awareness about the threats of indoor air pollution. The organization also collaborates with businesses to create safe and healthy working environments.

Many people believe that staying indoors protects them from outdoor vehicle emissions and poor air quality. However, a variety of harmful indoor air pollutants may also be present, such as suspended particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biological contaminants like mold and dust mites, among others. Prolonged exposure may lead to cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, skin allergies, and more. The causes of indoor air pollution are complex and can be influenced by factors such as building use, chemical substances in the environment, ventilation, temperature, and humidity.

Patrick Fung, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Network, said, “There are already feasible solutions in the market to help businesses manage indoor air quality. Although the Hong Kong Stock Exchange does not currently require companies to disclose indoor air quality information in ESG reports, we firmly believe that the health and wellbeing of employees, consumers, and tenants are central to the core values of most companies. Therefore, we encourage more businesses to actively manage indoor air quality as a demonstration of their commitment.”

Common indoor air pollution threats faced by office workers include VOCs released from printing equipment[2] and formaldehyde emitted from office renovation materials and furniture[3]. In addition, studies have found that due to poor ventilation in some Hong Kong buildings, carbon dioxide exhaled by employees can accumulate and become a source of pollution.[4] Extended exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide can cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and even headaches.

Currently, there are no laws in Hong Kong regulating indoor air quality. The government promotes indoor air management through the voluntary Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme. Patrick Fung believes that the general public places great importance on physical and mental health, and encourages businesses to actively respond to employees’ concerns by creating safe breathing environments. To this end, Clean Air Network has launched a Partnership Program to help businesses and NGOs monitor indoor air quality and explore improvement measures.

Meanwhile, to enhance public awareness of indoor air quality, Clean Air Network will invite citizens over the next two months to measure air pollutants in frequently visited places such as gyms, shopping malls, and restaurants using portable instruments. The data collected will be used to create an online interactive map for public reference.

For more information, please visit Clean Air Network’s website: https://hongkongcan.org/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ .


[1] Chau C K, Tu E Y, Chan D W T and Burnett J. Estimating the total exposure to air pollutants for different population age groups in Hong Kong. Environment International, Vol. 27, p.617-630, 2002.
[2] Hui, P.-S., K.-W. Mui, and L.-T. Wong, Influence of indoor air quality (IAQ) objectives on air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2008. 144: p.315-322.
[3] Lee, S.-C., et al., Inter-comparison of air pollutant concentrations in different indoor environments in Hong Kong. Atmospheric Environment, 2002. 36(12): p. 1929-1940.

[4] Zhou, Y., et al., Airborne Bacteria in Outdoor Air and Air of Mechanically Ventilated Buildings at City Scale in Hong Kong across Seasons. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020. 54(19):p.11732-11743.

https://hongkongcan.org
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleanairnetworkhk
https://www.facebook.com/cleanairnetwork
https://www.instagram.com/cleanairnetworkhk/

Hashtag: #IAQ #publichealth #indoorairpollution #ESG #environment #wellbeing

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Tourism – Iconic Queenstown wine brand earns global recognition for luxury stays

0

Source: Gibbston Valley

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa has been awarded a prestigious Michelin Key, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s expansion into luxury hospitality alongside its renowned heritage wine offering.

The accolade, announced earlier this month, places the lodge among just 19 properties in New Zealand recognised for delivering “a very special stay” by Michelin’s global hotel inspectors.

Gibbston Valley chief operating officer Ashling Swirtz says the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to doing the little things exceptionally well. “We aim to create genuinely memorable stays that are also deeply connected to Gibbston Valley’s winemaking legacy.

“Our brand is one of the most recognised wine brands in New Zealand. We’ve always been a tourist destination, but opening the lodge in 2019 was our first venture into five-star luxury,” says Swirtz.

“The two sides of the business – heritage wine and high-end hospitality – have meshed together incredibly well. We’ve worked hard to create a seamless experience that honours both.”

“All attention to detail has gone into the experience we’re providing for the guests. From the unique Vinotherapy Renewal treatment in the spa to the architectural design of the lodge building with its striking roofline and feature fireplace, we’ve created something that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to who we are as a brand.”

Long known for its pioneering vine plantings and unique wine cave experience, Gibbston Valley has quietly built a reputation for understated luxury since opening its lodge and spa. Positioned above the first vineyard block ever planted in the valley, the property features 24 architecturally designed villas, an award-winning spa, and a fine-dining restaurant.

The spa at Gibbston Valley has been recognised as New Zealand’s Best Resort Spa for six years running at the World Spa Awards.

The Michelin Key programme, launched globally in 2024, evaluates hotels on five universal criteria: architecture and design, service quality, personality and character, value for money, and contribution to the local setting. Inspectors visit anonymously and award keys to properties that stand out for their excellence.

Of the New Zealand properties awarded keys this year, seven are located in the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, highlighting the strength of the region’s luxury tourism offering and the distinct, beautiful stays available in this part of the country.

“Receiving this award places us alongside some of the most prestigious names in luxury hospitality in New Zealand. It’s a privilege to be recognised among such company,” says Swirtz.

Looking ahead, Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa is preparing for a busy summer season, with a new Wine Lovers’ packages launching soon. In December, the winery will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its iconic wine cave.

For more information, visit http://www.gibbstonvalleylodgeandspa.co.nz

About Gibbston Valley
Gibbston Valley is Queenstown’s leading wine and experience destination. The award-winning Gibbston Valley Wines is a premium organic wine brand, and its Cellar Door and Wine Cave are among the Southern Lakes’ top visitor experiences. The Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa offers luxury accommodation and a renowned day spa, named ‘New Zealand’s Best Resort Spa’ for six consecutive years. The soon-to-open Gibbston Valley Golf Course and Clubhouse will further enhance the curated wine and hospitality destination, set in the heart of the beautiful Gibbston Valley.  www.gibbstonvalley.com

MIL OSI

Weather News – A spooky twist to end the week’s weather – MetService

0

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 30th October – Monday 3rd November
It’s a spring-like weather situation to end the workweek with a mix of showers, cloud and clear skies.

Across New Zealand today (Thursday), showers and rain hang around in Northland and western South Island, then more rain sneaks into southern regions by evening as a front drifts by – and snow possible to about 900 metres overnight in the Far South.

It’s a cloudy kind of day for most of the country today though – but those in eastern South Island and lower North Island get to enjoy plenty of sunshine!

As Friday creeps in – Halloween Eve style – the skies start to shuffle around.

Showers in Northland clear out early, while breezy southwesterlies push showers up the South Island. By afternoon, those showers start affecting eastern areas of the South Island as well and spooky clouds drift away from the southwest, revealing sunnier skies.

By the end of the day, those sneaky showers migrate to the lower North Island, especially around the ranges, setting the scene for a wet Halloween night for those in Wairarapa and possibly the capital as well, but mainly dry elsewhere.

To the delight of many, a ridge of high-pressure sweeps in on Saturday, bringing settled weather for many across New Zealand. The fine weather looks set to stick around into early next week, though a few cheeky inland showers might try to crash the weekend for the North Island.

MetService meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “it’s the perfect weekend to enjoy an outdoor activity as sunnier skies and calmer winds prevail, so get outside and soak up the sunshine while it lasts”.

The sunny weather couldn’t have come at a better time too – with the Black Caps taking on England in Wellington on Saturday and the Auckland Marathon kicking off on Sunday, athletes and fans alike will be thrilled with the fine conditions.

Temperatures stay nice and steady into next week, so you can expect a smooth, comfortable start to November with no weather tricks, just a few sunny treats – ideal for Marlborough Anniversary Day on Monday.

Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at http://www.metservice.com

MIL OSI

Advocacy – PSNA condemns the deployment of NZ Liaison officer in Israel

0

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA
 
PSNA has condemned the New Zealand government’s decision to deploy a “liaison officer” to Israel to work with the US and Israel to implement the Trump ‘peace’ plan for Gaza.

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair Maher Nazzal says it is ominous
that the liaison officer will be based inside a US military office.

“Instead, we should be working with the United Nations in the region. Trump plans to perpetuate the Israeli occupation under a fig-leaf of it being multinational. That is what we are supporting.”

“This is more of the same complicity with the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza.

For two years, our Foreign Minister has joined New Zealand at the hip to a country whose Prime Minister is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

‘There have been no sanctions on Israel, but we frequently impose new sanctions on Russia and Iran.”

“It’s a knee-jerk reaction for New Zealand to send in the troops to the Middle East to back Israel and the US,” Nazzal says.

“The NZDF was there in Iraq and Afghanistan. The government sent the army up to the Red Sea to fight with the Americans early last year to keep Israeli sea lanes open.”

Nazzal says the government should focus on aid, ensuring Palestinians’ rights and representation, and fact-finding.

“There should be a cross-party Parliamentary fact-finding mission assembled urgently, which could get into Gaza safely before Israel ramps up its murderous assault again.”

“MPs should see for themselves, instead of signing off on a soldier whose job it is to ‘implement’ the Trump plan.

“The King of Jordan has recently rejected the US proposal to join in patrolling Gaza to implement Trump’s vision.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/international-relations/jordan-s-forces-will-not-run-around-gaza-on-patrol-king-abdullah-says-on-trump-s-plan/ar-
AA1PggCw?ocid=BingNewsSerp

“A liaison officer deployment is political cover to assist and reward Israel for its
genocide in Gaza. The US makes bombs and bullets for Israel to fire.”

“It’s a shameful betrayal of Palestine and the Palestinian steadfastness in the face of unbelievable depravity and cruelty.”

“Palestinians have no say in the Trump plan. Trump decides who is going to
implement it. He’s picked Tony Blair. When he was British Prime Minister, Blair, and US President Bush, invaded Iraq to destroy the non-existent weapons of mass destruction. More than a million Iraqis died.”

“In Gaza, more than 20,000 children have now been murdered by Israel in
indiscriminate killing across Gaza.”

“It says all we need to know that the Minister of Defence has never uttered a single word of condemnation of Israel.”

“The New Zealand people stand with Palestine – the government stands with Israel.”
 
Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

MIL OSI